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Fats Domino

Thrillin’ in Philly: Live 1973

Review by Gary Hill

So many people point to Elvis Presley as the founding father of rock and roll. Personally, I’ve always felt that the originators were people like Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and Fats Domino. This newly released live album captures Domino in a smoking hot performance from 1973. The sound quality is solid, and he and the band really deliver. A lot of early rock and roll had a tendency to be samey. Domino brought in plenty of jazz, Cajun sound, blues and more to keep it from ever seeming redundant or tired. If you like this old school stuff, give this one a try. It’s really quite strong.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2016  Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
Let The Four Winds Blow

I love the rhythm groove on this cut. The piano is great, but so is the vocal performance. This is old school rock and roll at its best. The saxophone solo brings some real magic to the table. The powerhouse jam late in the track is incredibly cool.

Blueberry Hill
Probably Domino’s best known tune, this hit is delivered in style in this live performance. It’s a song that pretty much everyone has heard. It still works all those years later.
Please Don t Leave Me
I love this tune, too. It has such a great old school rock and roll groove and vibe.
When My Dreamboat Comes Home
The horns add a lot to this number. It’s a cool rocker, too. The saxophone solo is a centerpiece, but you can’t ignore the piano, either.
Walking To New Orleans
This is another great classic old school song.
My Blue Heaven
This is a bouncy kind of rocker. It’s another fun one for sure.
Ain’t That A Shame
Cheap Trick had a bit hit with their version of this song. The original is delivered with style here.
I’m In Love Again
This is a cool rocker. It’s a different style from the others. It’s also so much fun.
Poor Me

A blues rocker, this is another solid cut on a disc without any weak material.

My Girl Josephine
This bouncy little rocker is fun. I love the horns and bass work.
Goin’ to the River
More classic rock and roll is delivered here.
Whiskey Heaven
This is a lot more of a blues song than it is a rock and roller. It’s fun no matter what.
I’m Gonna Be a Wheel Someday
Although this is no big change, it’s another solid tune.
When The Saints Go Marching In
This old Dixieland stomper gets a powerhouse telling here. I love the instrumental work on the jam at the end.
What A Price
Here we get another blues styled tune.
The Fat Man
The piano on this stomper is quite special. This is one of the best tunes of the set in a lot of ways, really.
Another Mule

This is another solid old school rocker delivered in style. The instrumental jam in the middle of this is particularly effective.

Going To Mardi Gras
This is a bouncy jazzy number. It’s fun stuff.
Your Cheatin Heart
The old country music classic gets an old school rock and roll, honky tonk kind of work over. It works well.
The Sheik Of Araby
I love the saxophone on this, but the whole tune is effective, really.
I Want To Walk You Home
More standard old time rock and roll, this is solid, but not a standout.
Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
I absolutely love the bass work on this. The entirety of instrumental jamming on this (and there is a lot) is pretty awesome, really. This is such a great way to end things in a classy way.
 
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